My FIRST DAY on the Camino de Santiago | Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Burguete | October 2023

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

Burguete is a LONG hard walk from SJPdP! Wow! I stayed at Borda on the first night and it was lovely but next time I may probably have confidence to push on to roncesvalles depending on my fitness. You had great views and weather! I’m just in the process of putting together my Camino Frances footage into one or more videos…. But instead of getting on with that I’m procrastinating! It’s so much nicer to watch your videos! Well done! I really like how you have documented your journey! 😊

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 I really hope you do finish putting together your Camino footage. I'd love to watch it! I know it requires time and patience, which calls for procrastination, but you'll be so happy once you've done it! 😁

[@Kate_Pilgrim]

I love your camera work Olivia! I started to watch this video but have to go to work! I look forward to watching the rest this evening! Buen Camino!

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you so much! ❤ Hope you'll enjoy the rest of my journey! Buen Camino! 🌄

[@stephenandmeropi]

Hello Olivia, My wife and I completed the Camino Frances and Camino Finisterre on 25/10/2023. Can I say your Day 1 video SJPP to Burguete is the best we have seen. It gave me the opportunity to see what I actually missed as I crossed the Pyrenees during a major weather event on 2/9 - most rain in a single day in 12 months. Looking forward to watching your posts of Day 2 onwards. Best wishes to you Stephen

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. 😊 I'm sorry to hear about the challenging weather conditions you faced crossing the Pyrenees. I had a similar experience later on in my journey, so I can relate. 😔 Best wishes to you and your wife! Looking forward to sharing more of the journey! 😊

[@jgozo9476]

Hi, thank you for the video, what time of year did you go, wish month I mean

[@oliviaelenat]

Hi, I walked from October 2nd to November 1st. 😊

[@jgozo9476]

@@oliviaelenat thank you for the reply 😘

[@jgozo9476]

@oliviaelenat isn't it cold in Spain that time of year?

[@deacondavidviscount7579]

It is not an easy day, but an incredibly beautiful beginning. My son and I walked from St Jean to Burguette in late May. I was so worried about that 1st day - hearing how difficult it was...but it was no problem for us, luckily. We weren't carrying heavy camera equipment though. There were to be other days that were tough, but overall we managed very well. Looking forward to following the rest of your pilgrimage! Buen Camino!! 💛

[@oliviaelenat]

I'm happy to hear that you and your son had a wonderful start on the Camino! I can completely relate - my journey had its share of ups and downs, but everything fell into place in the end. 😊 Buen Camino! 🌟

[@VictorineUnabia]

Hello! I'm so glad I found a comment that said his walk was made in late May. Il be doing the CF via the Pyrenees in late May 2025. I know it's hard to predict the weather nowadays, but may I know how it was during your walk over the Pyrenees? Did it rain? Was it foggy? Did you have clear views? I'm from the tropics and these info matter in my preparation. Thank you

[@deacondavidviscount7579]

@@VictorineUnabiawe had beautiful weather for the first day St Jean to Burgette. The day (May 26th) was sunny and it was mid teens at 8am when we left the hotel. By the time we arrived into Burgette the temp was probably low 20’s (celsius). All in all a beautiful day for a 6 hour hike up and over the Pyrenees. Have a wonderful time - the Camino is a fabulous experience. Only suggestion is be ready, be as fit as you can. And, enjoy!

[@VictorineUnabia]

@@deacondavidviscount7579 Thank you so much!

[@leopas88]

Found your video because i will be ATTEMPTING the Camino Frances this October so i wanted to know what to expect weather wise =). Looking forward to watch the rest of this series =)

[@oliviaelenat]

You can definitely do it! 😁 I was clueless and untrained when I started, and I still made it! 😄 The weather did get pretty bad towards the end of October, so starting about two weeks earlier would have been ideal. Wishing you the best on your Camino! 🥾🌄

[@leopas88]

@@oliviaelenat I'm gonna need it...i'm looking to start 12 October...I'm guessing wet and cold weather gear would be appropriate HAHA...Anyway thanks for the info =)

[@joewilson7896]

Thank you so much for sharing. Hoping like crazy to be there in June! Buen Camino Olivia!

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 Wishing you'll make it there in June! Buen Camino! 🌄

[@barnarabai1777]

Day 1 is such an amazing experience. For me the only one that compares in catharsis is the walk to Hospital de Orbigo, with the mountains rising on the horizon after the meseta.

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

Great video, awesome memories! Where was everyone?

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 I started my walk quite late and took many breaks, so most people were either ahead of me or had stopped at Orisson. 😄 Plus, since it was October, there were fewer pilgrims around.

[@mattlavender]

What an epic journey! Great first video that really captures the spirit of the walk. Looking forward to following you along the way! ❤🚶‍♂

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊

[@paullandman]

Beautiful video!

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊

[@jimlavender514]

Great video Olivia. Look forward to futures episodes and Tarantino's remake. Hope we see you over Christmas. Jim x

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊

[@browsman2328]

My friend and I did the El Camino in Sept 2017. My friend was not religious but I did it as a Franciscan Catholic and I went to mass whenever possible. We even had some poltergeist activity at one of the alberges but I don’t want to say which one other than it was one of the older ones next to a castle. We were too tired to be frightened about it. Buen Camino!

[@oliviaelenat]

Oh wow! It doesn't sound like I've stayed there, but being too tired to be frightened makes total sense after a long day of walking. 😆

[@grahamwallace]

Great video! I’ve done two Camino’s, one from Lisbon and one from Porto, but have booked flights to do the Frances for the first time in April next year. So looking forward to it and your video has made me all the more excited for it. Now subscribed and following your progress.

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you so much! ☺ I really appreciate it. It's amazing that you've done two Caminos already! Wishing you an incredible journey on the Camino Frances, in April! Buen Camino! 🌟

[@Peoriahiker]

Looking forward to your journey. I will begin in SJPP in June, celebrating my 70th year on this planet. Buen Camino

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 Wow, that's amazing! Wishing you an incredible journey! Buen Camino! 🌟

[@Gardenwatch]

I too will be celebrating my 70th next year on the Camino, although my first day walking will be May 20th from SJPP. Buen Camino from a Buckeye!

[@Mpa986]

Good luck, look forward to what you comment on as you travel each day! Please be different, take care, Michael-South Australia

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊

[@Rkolb2798]

Not that many mountains in London to train on 😊

[@oliviaelenat]

True 😂

[@FNDingMyWay]

Just read your reply to someone with your dates you hiked, we probably crossed paths along the way! I started Sept 19 finished Oct 28. Enjoyed your video 😊

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! Oh, yes, we definitely did! 😊

[@tanyawesolowski8876]

I did this in June and it was rainy and foggy!

[@oliviaelenat]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get to enjoy the views 😔

[@camino9152]

Wonderful video! I went in April 2023, but watching your video makes me want to try it in October. What was the date of your Day 1?

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 I started on 2nd Oct 😊

[@cecillenadela3752]

Hi we are planning our very first Camino by bicycle this September 2024 via Francis . What route did you take , we are hoping to avoid Pyrenees if there is a way to do it as it might be too challenging for first timer . Your journey inspired me thank you for sharing Buen Camino

[@oliviaelenat]

Hi Cecille, thank you! 😊 I took the main walking route, called Route of the Ports of Cize. It did seem challenging for cycling, especially the rocky mountain trail section that you can see in my video. There is an alternative route called the Route of Valcarlos, which seems to be easier for cycling. I think this article will answer your question better: www.tournride.com/stage-1-saint-jean-pied-de-port-to-roncesvalles Wishing you a wonderful journey on your first Camino! 🌟

[@cecillenadela3752]

thank you this is very helpful . @@oliviaelenat

[@corinamoise4745]

So it seems you really CAN walk that far after all 😂❤

[@oliviaelenat]

😂

[@markc8401]

Great video! Just curious, what date did you start/finish? I started on Sep 11th and finished Oct 16th....just wondering if we crossed paths at all. Thanks for the memories!

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊I started on Oct 2nd and finished on Nov 1st, so you were probably somewhere ahead of me 😁

[@jornspirit]

well, done Olive...so you have been staying right on-time with your b'day in Santiago for now... will you make it? (by now you'll know, of course, but we don't) 😎

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! 😊 I won't give away any spoilers just yet 😄

[@jornspirit]

yep - keep the tension cookin' @@oliviaelenat 😅

[@ThePhantomMajor]

I can't place your accent. 🤔 Well done for getting through that first day! Quite a test!

[@oliviaelenat]

Thank you! I'm Romanian 😊 I grew up learning American English, then lived in London for 4 years 😄